ACTED has been implementing since January 2010 a food security programme in support of the vulnerable host and refugee populations in the sub-county of Zemio (south-east of CAR, in the Haut-Mbomou region). This market garden production programme complements some of others ACTED’s programmes already implemented in the area in order to reinforce the communities’ livelihood.

In the context of an increasing Congolese refugee flow in the area, not far from the border, and because of the limited farming products available on Zemio local market, ACTED has set up this programme, on the one hand, to strengthen the production and the self-sufficiency capacities of the populations and, on the other hand, to promote a better cohabitation between host populations and the Congolese refugees who have fled violence.

This programme targeting 1,400 households has begun to blossom. With the support of ACTED’s agronomist and sensitization teams, beneficiaries have received training on vegetable gardening. Farming tool kits (shovel, axe, hoe, machete and rake) and watering cans have been distributed to almost 1,300 beneficiaries. In addition, about 970 host households from Zemio and 345 refugee households received 8-seed kits (tomato, cabbage, chilli, watermelon, eggplant, cucumber, marrow). These distributions combined with training and ACTED’s monitoring will allow people to learn better farming practices and to diversify their diet.

The setting up of this project is a good way for people to reinforce the partnership with ACTED in a remote region with low humanitarian aid presence.

This programme is implemented by ACTED in partnership with OCHA and UNDP.